Good Morning: Sentinel's online games are fun, free

Two annual events happened this week: The first snow fell to gently remind us of what’s in store, and my first parking ticket of the season was firmly tucked under my windshield wiper. If you’re in Ionia, remember to follow the odd/even parking rules between 2 and 5 a.m. now through April.

Two annual events happened this week: The first snow fell to gently remind us of what’s in store, and my first parking ticket of the season was firmly tucked under my windshield wiper. If you’re in Ionia, remember to follow the odd/even parking rules between 2 and 5 a.m. now through April.

If you’re not clear on the ordinance, contact the Ionia Department of Public Safety at 616-527-4431. If you’re clear on the ordinance but ignore it, be prepared to join me in bidding farewell to some hard-earned cash.

Website updates If you haven’t been to our Website for awhile, it’s definitely worth another visit. Our corporate parent, GateHouse Media, is constantly expanding our online offerings, so check back often. In addition to expanding our news, sports, business and blog content, we’ve had another exciting addition: Games.

GateHouse has partnered with Arkadium, a top developer of online casual games. Note the term “casual” — no stress, just fun and they are all free. Games offered include Picture Pieces, Mahjong, Blackjack, Crossword, Jigsaw, Solitaire, Spliterature, Sudoku, Treasure Hunt and more. There are dozens and dozens of games to choose from, so you’re sure to find something to your liking.

While games may not have a direct link to what we do day in and day out here at the Sentinel, we all need a mental break now and then. Online games are also a good way to keep sharp and “exercise” those parts of the brain that get sluggish if not pushed into use once in awhile.

You’ll find a link for our new game portal on the left side of our homepage, sentinel-standard.com. Admittedly, I haven’t played them all, but I have tried my luck at a few so far. The Jigsaw is harder than it looks, and I liked the pace and challenge of Spliterature. Try them out and let me know what you like and don’t like.

Here are a few historical tidbits from our archives:

100 YEARS AGO

• The lightest deer season in years was predicted in the UP due to lack of snow and preoccupation with election matters. A lack of rain has also made the woods dry and noisy.

• The Sentinel urged residents to “pull altogether” in a movement to save the Ionia fair grounds. Instead of being destroyed, they should be improved. n Outgoing President Taft said he will do all he can do to rehabilitate the Republican Party before retiring from his presidency.

• The kindergarten school in city hall was closed this morning on account of cold weather.

• The Ionia Free Fair announces two superstar grandstand shows, Alabama and George Jones and the Jones Boys.

• MSU pounds Hoosiers to lock up Rose Bowl bid.

Lori Kilchermann is general manager of the Ionia Sentinel-Standard and regional editor for GateHouse Media’s family of Michigan newspapers. Have a question, comment or story idea? Email her at lori.kilchermann@sentinel-standard.com or call 616-527-2100.